Diageo

Diageo plc is a global consolidated liquor company that previously owned Burger King.

Formed in 1997 when Guinness merged with food and spirits company Grand Metropolitan, Diageo was the world's largest producer of alcoholic drinks in 2011. When Diageo purchased Seagram's, it obtained the brands Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, and VO Canadian. Based in London, the company sells in 200 countries. For 2010, Diageo had a revenue of $14.6 billion. CEO Paul Walsh received $9.68 million in compensation in 2009 according to the Guardian, but receives $5.09 million annually in 2011, according to Reuters.

Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council
DIAGEO is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Kenneth Lane, Vice President of Government & Trade Relations, is Diageo's representative on ALEC's corporate ("Private Enterprise") board as of 2011.

DIAGEO has also hosted VIP events for legislators at ALEC meetings. Pictures from the 2010 ALEC Annual Meeting, for example, include a set of photographs from the "Diageo Wine and Cheese Reception."

Brands
Brands under Diageo include: Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker, J&B, Windsor Premier, Buchanan's, Bushmills, Smirnoff, Ketel One, Ciroc, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray, and Guinness.

Liquor Advertising on TV
In 2002, Diageo and NBC signed a deal to advertise hard liquor, the first instance of hard liquor advertising on TV in 50 years. The deal created a public outcry, particularly from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, that resulted in the deal eventually collapsing.

Political contributions
In 2010, Open Secrets reports that DIAGEO North America spent $208,768 in federal political contributions. House Democrats received $60,483 and Republicans $24,097. Senate Democrats received $23,436 and Republicans $19,736.

Diageo North America gave $61,600 to federal candidates in the 2006 election through its political action committee - 31% to Democrats, 53% to Republicans, and 16% to independent Joseph Lieberman (I-CT).

Lobbying
The most recent lobbying information states that Diageo North America spent $3,220,000 for lobbying in 2006. In-house lobbyists as well as five lobbying firms were used, including DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary and Quinn Gillespie & Associates.

Self-Regulation Questioned
On October 18 2005, Diageo PLC threw its weight behind the Portman Group, the industry's self-appointed regulatory body on alcohol, following moves by the UK government to question its relevance in the light of 24-hour licensing and the high levels of so-called 'binge-drinking' among young adults.

The government's committee on alcohol abuse is understood to be unhappy with the Portman Group's stance on alcohol abuse and some academics are calling for a more independent review body.

Annual Revenue
2010 Operating Revenue: $14.6 billion Gross Operating Profit: $9.1 billion Total Net Income: $2.4 billion

2009

Operating Revenue: $15.3 billion Gross Operating Profit: $9.4 billion Total Net Income: $2.6 billion

2008

Operating Revenue: $16.1 billion Gross Operating Profit: $10.1 billion Total Net Income: $3.2 billion

Personnel

 * Paul Walsh - CEO -
 * Deirdre Mahlan - CFO -
 * Ron Anderson - Chief Customer Officer -
 * Nich Blazquez - President, Diageo Africa -
 * Andy Fennell - Chief Marketing Officer -
 * Stuart Fletcher - President, International Diageo -
 * Gilbert Ghostine - President, Asia Pacific -
 * David Gosnell - President, Global Supply and Procurement -
 * Jim Grover - Director of Global Business Support -
 * Ivan Menezes - President, North America and Chairman, Asia Pacific -
 * Randy Millian - President, Latin America -
 * Andrew Morgan - President, Europe -
 * Tim Proctor - General Counsel -
 * Larry Schwartz - President, Diageo USA -
 * Gareth Williams - Human Resources Director -
 * Ian Wright - Corporate Relations Director -

Selected members of the Board of Directors:
 * Jon Symonds, Also Chief Financial Officer of AstraZeneca
 * Lord Hollick, Also Managing director - Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
 * Franz Humer, Also Chairman & CEO - F. Hoffmann - La Roche Ltd. and Chairman - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)
 * Maria Lilja, Head of American Express Europe
 * William Shanahan, Former Chief operating officer - The Colgate-Palmolive Company
 * Todd Stitzer, Also CEO Cadbury Schweppes

Contact Info
Headquarters: 8 Henrietta Place London W1G 0NB, United Kingdom Phone: +44-20-7927-5200 Fax: +44-20-7927-4600 Web: http://www.diageo.co.uk

U.S. office: 801 Main Avenue Norwalk, CT 06901 USA Phone: 203-229-2100 Fax: 203-229-8901 Web: http://www.diageo.com

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * David Gosnell
 * Jon Pageler - former vice president